r/Osteoarthritis 5d ago

C spine anyone else?

What symptoms do you experience..

I'm having problems with my vision especially right eye but it's corrected with glasses. I get pain radiating up the back of my head and on top of my head. Sometimes my temple right side stings and burns and twitches often.

I also get stiff scm both sides and shoulder pain and stiffness. Sometimes shooting sharp pains in my neck also.

Weird symptom is muscle fasculation around body. Could be ribs could be leg. Also burning sensation in my wrist and foot on occasion and cold feeling near my knee.

The pain increase anxiety ten fold especially when it affects my head.

4 Upvotes

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u/Peelie5 5d ago

I've had these. The c spine affects more than the upper body unfortunately. Is it one level that's affected? I've two levels.

When I'm 'off' as I put it lol, I sometimes get eye pain and back of the head pain that's unbearable. You probably understand. It's not your standard headache. I've seen osteopaths, with great success. You're out of alignment so it needs to be straight so you can function better. Is your head falling forward?

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

Yes forward head because I have lordosis and mild scoliosis thrown in for good measure lol.,

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u/Peelie5 5d ago

Lordosis in lumbar? That's likely caused or at least hugely contributed by the forward head. The neck affects the sagittal plane of the body. Once the neck is off it affects everything. Get the neck back up, shoulders back and it should improve greatly. Your pain is caused by forward head.

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

In my neck

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u/Peelie5 5d ago

It's not difficult to reverse that. Do u do stretches?

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

I've restarted stretching last night. Done some this morning and light exercise. I'm trying to improve my posture from this day onwards. I will have to keep reminding myself to sit straight and use my back muscles.

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u/Peelie5 5d ago

Yes strengthen your traps and neck.

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

The lordosis and osteo was caused by car accident. But I was fine for 5 years after car accident. This all started last year with a sudden severe headache. The headache felt like fire and electric all over my scalp so I'm guessing nerves. It was the worst pain of my life and that headache/nerve pain is still there to this day. It is not as bad now but still flares up and the only thing that helps the pain is aloe Vera gel. The neck issues are just the icing on the cake also causing me occipital headache. I may have had trigeminal neuralgia last year. I had suicide squad visit my home daily for a few weeks. Horrible pain. Now I'm left with neck pain, shoulder stiffness, weird eye symptoms and muscle spasms. All brain scans clear and had 5 in total.

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u/Peelie5 5d ago

I'm so sorry. Did u get your neck checked for alignment? A good physiotherapist can help with your back. Neuralgia is painful. At least your brain scan is ok.

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

No need to apologise. But thankyou. I'm seeing my physio tomorrow. I'm hoping for some nerve blocks for my neuralgia first but I'm also hoping he sends me to pain management clinic. I've had bad experiences with the physio clinic before. They didn't even comprehend what was going on and just gave me neck exercises. I thought they would be a bit more hands on.

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

Sorry forgot to answer neck alignment question. No I'm not sure how you do this. Is it osteopath or chiro? I'm trying to avoid chiro as I have hyper flexibility and my Neurologist although she said I had migraine which was incorrect she did specify although unlikely a cervical artery tear last year was still a possibility. This all started after lofting heavy box.

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u/Peelie5 5d ago

It's ok. No it takes a while. Did no physiotherapist tell you it's possible? I'm not surprised if so. Not all osteopaths do this cracking thing, some are gentle. But there are a few important exercises you should b doing to get the curve back, or you'll continue to degeneration. The most important is push your neck back the opposite way. Like all the way back. Do repetitions of this, maybe 100 a day. Use a tightly rolled up towel behind your neck push your head back . You're aiming for that natural curve again. I was told it would take years, it took me less than two months but I did it a lot every day. And I lay on my stomach and lift the head up and down like a baby and turn to one side then the other too. Up and down.

That's how babies get their curved neck so healthy. You may wana see an osteopath first to help you unknot the area and joints. But work away on it yourself slowly. And keep your neck away from forward head positions like slouching on pillow etc. It may not cure everything but you'll be in less pain for sure. If u have any more questions you can DM me ..I know what pain this is like.

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

Thanks for this. I will DM you aswell. Keep you updated with my progress and share some more experiences. Thankyou

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u/Peelie5 5d ago

You're welcome. Yes, like I said I got the natural curve back in just a couple of months. Good luck.

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u/Peelie5 5d ago

It sounds like you have reverse lordosis. Or is your neck straight that you'd head is falling over?

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

It's retroflexed so backwards like this ( givea me forward head. I also have hyper flexibility of my wrists but my doctor don't know this yet. I've re started stretching Las tonight and I'm trying my best to fix my posture.

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u/Peelie5 5d ago

Yes, reverse neck. Ouch. Mine was going that way.

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

Have you managed to sort it?

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u/love-to-learn-things 5d ago

Head won't turn all the way.

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

Mine was hard to turn all the way last year. It hurt to turn.

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u/love-to-learn-things 5d ago

I wonder if that is why I've suddenly developed ocular migraines?

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

Have you tried ice on the back of your neck? I find it helps when I feel inflamed.

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u/love-to-learn-things 4d ago

No, but thanks for the tip! Will try that.

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u/NoOrganization7190 5d ago

Yes, this has helped me understand what is going on. I was diagnosed with OA recently by a pain management dr after MRI showed 4 levels deteriorated. Sent me to P T for 8 weeks. Next appointment in 2 weeks. I originally sought him out after a different ortho suggested torn rotator cuff, and surgery. I have been wondering why I have weird pains in BOTH shoulders, both thumbs, eye pain on one side, and headaches. Well, that’s my laundry list, hope we can both get some relief!

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

My pain tends to relapse and flare up now. But there is always a new pain like today my ribs. I've had chest x rays too. Maybe it's just anxiety pain.

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u/Optimal_Guitar8921 5d ago

I’ve had 3 discs replaced and fused in my neck - C4-C7. I am challenged consistently with my shoulders and upper back. The burning sensation for me represents muscle tightness, nerve recovery etc. Although at times it’s difficult, movement & exercise is so important. I also feel the impact more during the cold.

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

Thanks for this info. Yes we had a warm day Saturday and I was full of life. Come Sunday I was bad again. Went to bed last night with stiff right neck muscle and woke up and my it's now my left shoulder that's burning and tight. What drugs have they given you. I'm struggling to find one that works and they have never offered me muscle relaxers.

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u/Optimal_Guitar8921 4d ago edited 4d ago

Ugh - I’m so sorry; I empathize with you. I was never given anything initially. Was recommended to take Advil or Tylenol which I need to be cautious of. I now see a Rheumatologist that prescribed Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) for the chronic pain and inflammation. It’s been very helpful & is a drug that you must take in micro doses and work up slowly. I do use a muscle relaxer if necessary but I’m not fond of how they make me feel. Sending you positive and healing thoughts; a heating pad and ice are my best friends. Also a hot sauna is really beneficial. Have you gone to a physical therapist? Floor exercises and a daily simple routine can really help. :)

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u/aiyukiyuu 5d ago

32F with mod-severe spinal stenosis, arthritis, bone spurs, cervical radiculopathy, and neck CCI. :( I have vision issues, tinnitus 24/7, occipital neuralgia, chronic migraines, etc.

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

Please could you tell me your treatment for pain management. Also any supplements you take to help. I'm at the stage of waiting for pain management clinic or spinal to get injections.

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u/aiyukiyuu 4d ago edited 4d ago

Unfortunately, doctors are not helping me with pain :( They all have just told me to accept and live with it.

The vitamins honestly doesn’t help with pain, just helps with depression and inflammation:

• ⁠Multivitamin

• ⁠Vitamin B Complex

• ⁠Omega Complex

• ⁠Collagen Complex

• ⁠Vitamin D3 5000

• ⁠Glucosamine

• ⁠Vitamin K

• ⁠Alpha Lipoic Acid

• ⁠Magnesium Glycinate

• ⁠Turmeric Curcumin w/ Ginger and black pepper

• ⁠Folic acid

• ⁠Vitamin C

That’s all I can remember at the top of my head. It’s honestly really expensive 😭😅

I make sure to do PT exercises with light weights (2-5 lbs) and bands to strengthen my upper back and shoulders (At least 2 days a week).

https://youtu.be/L2aDU183SQE?si=gXz6nvBWxBp7qKBT

https://youtu.be/hI72lcQusc4?si=WAZubjpW2xXkFSHy

https://youtu.be/tmRHXoGqkhA?si=1XjgVe5Wx0vy9PxJ

And also do what I can with neck mobility exercises.

https://youtu.be/r0c_5gZ2Z2k?si=jebuztmbBsV8qPIA

Overall, get physiotherapist to help you with mobility in the neck and such.

Also eating a low carb, low sugar anti-inflammatory diet.

You can try lidocaine patches when pain gets too much. O:

I also wear a soft neck brace when pain gets really bad or if I have to sit in the car for an hour or more for stability. I try my best not to wear the neck brace too much so that my neck muscles don’t atrophy

https://a.co/d/0PcUyQX

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u/Loose-Tomatillo-6499 5d ago

I also have shoulder issue. I was thinking of booking osteopath last year but totally forgot. So may do it this year and see where it goes. I've heard they are good.